Criticisms of top liaison’s remarks ‘out of context’: Leung

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying reiterated on Tuesday that criticisms leveled over a top Beijing liaison's remarks about Hong Kong's administrative system were taking his words out of context. Leung's comment came after Zhang Xiaoming, director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, gave a speech on Saturday stating that "the chief executive possesses a special legal position that transcends the executive, the legislature and the judiciary." The remarks quickly sparked wide public debate and criticism from opposition groups, questioning whether Zhang's statement was saying that the power of the chief executive is above the legislature and the judiciary. Leung said on Tuesday, in his first response to the controversy, that Zhang was only referring to the local political and legal system, but not a particular person. "Zhang has not stated that the power of the chief executive is above the judiciary or the legislature … It is misleading to say the chief executive could intervene in the work of the judiciary," Leung said, adding that Zhang had stated twice that the city enjoys judicial independence.